Demetrio's founder dies at 81

SARASOTA - Dino Karounos of Demetrio's Pizzeria in Sarasota has passed away. Karounos and his family have owned and operated the iconic Sarasota restaurant since 1980.

Karounos died May 7 at Sarasota Memorial Hospital with his family by his bedside. The Karounos family bought Demetrio's, at 4410 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota, in 1980 after Dino Karounos moved to Sarasota with his wife, Linda, and their daughters in 1979 to take care of his parents.

His two daughters, Lisa Karounos Tatum and Jennifer Karounos Antony, both work at the restaurant. They each have three children of their own, who have all worked at the restaurant. Dino Karounos was 81 years old.